An American's afterlife in Vietnam

At 50, Susan is living what she calls her freest and most joyful days in Da Nang. Her mornings begin with a cup of coffee, a walk along the beach and a dance class with locals. It is a rhythm far removed from the corporate grind that once consumed her.

For 25 years she worked in consulting, and her success brought creature comforts but also exhaustion.

Susan during a hike in northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Susan

She recalls: "A year before I quit I tried to make things easier, but it didn’t help. I didn’t even recognize myself anymore."

At 40 she decided to get out of the rat race, quit her job, volunteered in Africa, earned a health-coaching certificate, spent time with family, and began traveling the world.

Her first visit to Vietnam was in 2017 as part of a three-month journey from north to south. She still remembers her chilly January arrival in Hanoi, the lively streets, friendly faces, and food.

"I loved every minute of that first trip."

Two years later she returned to Vietnam and began toying with the idea of a longer stay.

In 2020 she brought her mother along for what would become their final journey together. They spent a month in Da Nang and Hoi An, walking the beaches and meeting new friends.

A few weeks after returning to the U.S., her mother was diagnosed with a lung condition and passed away two years later.

Susan (R) and her mother during their trip in Da Nang before her mother’s passing. Photo courtesy of Susan

Her mother had once worried about Susan traveling alone to faraway places. But in Vietnam, she saw her daughter surrounded by kind people and a happiness she hadn’t seen in years.

"My mother supported my decision to stay in Vietnam, and that gave me a sense of peace and joy," Susan says.

After her mother’s death, she decided to live nomadically, spending months in one country before moving on to another. Before Da Nang, she had spent nine months in Mexico but found herself missing Vietnam deeply.

"The hospitality, humility, and openness of Vietnamese people make this country unlike any other place I’ve been," she says.

One of her fondest memories is in Que Son District, about 40 kilometers from Hoi An. While exploring Hoi An’s Old Town, she met a young girl who was eager to practice English and invited her to visit her family one weekend.

When Susan arrived, the entire family greeted her at the bus stop and brought her home. She stayed in the girl’s room while the latter slept with her mother, and the father moved to a hammock in the living room. They took her around the village, introduced her to neighbors and shared meals and morning coffee.

The moment that stays with Susan forever came one evening when the whole family sat together on the porch sipping tea. The parents do not speak English, and their daughter acted as interpreter.

"My father wants to say that if there’s anything we’ve done that made you uncomfortable, our family apologizes", the girl translated.

It left Susan speechless.

"I was their guest, welcomed, fed, and taken everywhere, yet they were still worried I might not feel completely at ease", she says.

It was that thoughtfulness and hospitality that moved her deeply. She still keeps in touch with the family she met by chance in Que Son.

Through her time here, Susan has come to admire how Vietnamese people balance work and life. It is different from America, where work often overshadows family and joy. Even without words, smiles and warmth bridge every gap.

Once she booked a ride-hailing taxi to the airport. The driver did not speak English, but, before saying goodbye, used a translation app to tell her: "You are always welcome here".

That simple sentence made her heart light up.

A year in Da Nang has taught Susan to treasure small joys, such as sunrise walks, coconut water and homemade pho.

More importantly, it has reshaped how she defines wealth.

She once lived in a wealthy area of Southern California, surrounded by luxury cars and endless spending. Now, she believes true richness lies elsewhere.

"Community, health, joy, laughter, and family values ... those are the real treasures."

She loves the rhythm of daily life in Da Nang: people shopping at local markets, walking outdoors, doing morning exercises, and living close to nature.

On weekends she dances by the beach with locals and foreigners, young and old, even people in wheelchairs.

"Every day there is a chance to learn something new, to share what I know, and to receive kindness in return", she says.

Looking back she once feared quitting her job would leave her lonely. But traveling, especially living in Vietnam, has shown her a world full of connection and meaning.

"I never knew another kind of life could make me so happy. Vietnam helped me see that, and I’ll always be grateful for it."